Secondary Science

Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre offers curriculum-aligned secondary science excursions in Sydney for Stage 4–6 students. Through hands-on fieldwork in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and surrounding environments, students investigate ecosystems, biodiversity, classification, adaptations and environmental change while developing scientific inquiry and fieldwork skills. Programs support the NSW Science 7–10, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, and Investigating Science syllabuses.

Stage 4 Science excursions

Fieldwork investigating classification, adaptations and ecosystems through practical scientific investigations.

Close up image of juvenile mangrove crab

Classification and adaptations

This Stage 4 Science excursion in Sydney develops students' understanding of classification and adaptations through hands-on fieldwork including dichotomous keys, scientific investigations and Aboriginal perspectives in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Close up image of mangrove leaves and flowers

Ecosystems

This Stage 4 Science excursion in Sydney develops students' understanding of ecosystems through hands-on fieldwork, water quality testing, food web investigations and scientific data collection in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Stage 5 Science excursions

Students explore plant systems, biodiversity and ecological relationships through outdoor investigations.

Image of a banskia flower

Plant systems

This Stage 5 Science excursion in Sydney investigates plant systems through hands-on fieldwork in mangrove, rainforest and dry sclerophyll ecosystems at Bobbin Head, developing scientific inquiry and environmental investigation skills.

Stage 6 Science fieldwork excursions

Curriculum-aligned Biology, Earth and Environmental Science, and Investigating Science excursions supporting syllabus modules and fieldwork skills.

Students collect, analyse and interpret field data while developing Working Scientifically skills in real-world environments.

Cockle creek mangrove ecosystems

Biology - Ecosystem dynamics: Intertidal wetlands

This excursion supports Stage 6 Biology Modules 3 and 4, providing students with authentic fieldwork in the mangrove ecosystems at Bobbin Head. Students investigate adaptations, biotic and abiotic relationships, crab distribution, vegetation patterns and human impacts, with optional support for Biology depth studies.

Southern brown bandicoot

Biology - Ecosystem dynamics: Bandicoots

This excursion supports Stage 6 Biology Module 4: Ecosystem Dynamics, using the southern brown bandicoot as a real-world case study. Students investigate habitat suitability by collecting biotic and abiotic data, evaluating human impacts and exploring conservation strategies through authentic fieldwork.

Students doing fieldwork in the bush

Biology - Ecosystem dynamics: Fieldwork skills

This excursion supports Stage 6 Biology Modules 3 and 4, with a strong emphasis on developing practical fieldwork skills. Students investigate mangrove ecosystems through water quality testing, vegetation surveys, abiotic and biotic sampling, and data analysis. It is designed for schools wanting to meet mandatory fieldwork requirements rather than complete a depth study.

Semaphore crab

Investigating Science: Wetlands

This excursion supports Modules 1 and 2: Cause and Effect of the NSW Stage 6 Investigating Science syllabus. Students use the scientific process to investigate intertidal wetlands through observation, field investigations, data collection and evidence-based inquiry in the mangrove ecosystems of Bobbin Head.

Red fox

Earth and Environmental Science: Human Impacts

This excursion supports Module 4: Human Impacts of the NSW Stage 6 Earth and Environmental Science syllabus. Students investigate the effects of the introduced red fox on ecosystems by collecting biotic and abiotic data, assessing habitat suitability for the southern brown bandicoot and evaluating fox mitigation strategies through authentic fieldwork.